Ignition switch



H. E. NORVIEL IGNITION SWITCH July 14, 1931'.

Filed April 15.

l utented July 14, 1931 nuns!) STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY E. .NOBVIEL, 0F ANDEBSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOB TO DELCO-BEMY CORPORA- TION, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE IGNITION S WITCH Application :flleil April 1:,

This invention relates'to a standardized ignition coil and lock switch unit, and it is an object thereof to provide an eiiicient lock switch of the rotary type that may be easily actuated by the plunger type of lock.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a contact device of the class described, that is simple in design and capable of manufacture at a relatively low cost.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an clevational view with parts broken away to show in section certain parts of the instant invention, the section being substantially that represented by the section lines and arrowsll of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view substantially along the line 22 and in the direction of the arrows of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a rear view in elevation of the lock barrel assembly and contact device, substantially' as would appear along the line and in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of ig. 1.

Fl 4 is a fragmentary view of the contact .device and actuator assembly, certain parts thereof being broken away and shown in section for clearness of illustration.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the contact actuator device contributing to the instant invention.

With particular reference to the drawings, represents a case or can enclosing the usual ignition coil, and the can has inter-fitting relation with the sleeve 21 projected beyond the coil unit to provide a switch housing which is closed by a frame 23 of a lock barrel assembly. The other end of the case 20 is provided with a coil cap 24 which, among other appointments, supports the terminal posts 25, 26 and 27 These posts are connected, to and through'the coil within the case 20 by means of conductors 28, 29 and 30, with switch terminals 31, 32 and 33 moldably secured within the body of a coil base 34. The base 34 is retained within the can 26 by means of'the 1929. Serial No. $54,781.

peripheral flange 35 against which it seats. The coil base 34 provides the back wall of a switch enclosure and is centrally recessed to form an annular depression 36 for a purpose later to be described.

The frame member 23 as earlier stated completes the switch housing or a closure for the member 21 and is centrally provided with a longitudinal bore which reci rocably receives a lock barrel 40. The lock arrel 40'carries a key cylinder 41 manipulatable by a key 42 and adapted to withdraw the bolt 43 from a recess 44 in the side wall of the tubular extension 45 supporting the lock barrel 40. The extension 45 carries a set screw 46 engaging a guide slot 47 in the barrel operating as a stop for longitudinal movement of the barrel 40 Within the frame 23. A second aperture 48 in the tubular extension 45 provides for reception of the bolt 43 when the barrel 40 is moved to the projected position in whichthe switch is in a circuit closed relation, thereb allowing removal of the key 42 from the loc cylinder 41.

The inner end of the lock barrel 40 is provided with three aligned apertures 50, 51 and 52 for receiving and securing thereto a driving cup 53. The driving cup 53 is of cylindrical formation, the side walls of which are provided with the spiral slots 54 and 55. .The bottom 56 ofthis cup is centrally apertured at 57 to receive a screw 58 driven therethrough and into the threaded aperture 51 of the lock barrel 40. Tangs 59 and 60 are struck from the bottom o-f'the cup 53 substantially as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 so as to cooperate with the apertures and 52 for securing the cup 53 in driving relation with the lock barrel 40. It will be noted that the slots 54 and run from the cylindrical portion of the cup 53 over the edge thereof and slightly into the bottom 56 thereof, for a purpose that will presently appear.

A second cup 61 of larger diameter and centrally apeitured at 62 is provided with the radial tangs 63 and 64 designed to have an inter-fitting engagement with the slots 54and 55 of the driving cup 53, the aperture 62 being sufliciently large to receive the cup 53 therein. The cylindrical wall of the cup 61 is rovided with peripheral tangs 65, 66 and 67 for support and retention of the remainder of the contact device as will presently appear.

The movable contact and support for this device comprises the substantially triangular plate or ring 70, each apex of which is deformed with the spherical embossments 71, 72 and 73 to provide contact points adapted for engagement with the switch terminals 31, 32 and 33 respectively. The inner edge of the ring is providedwith the tangs 74, 75 and 76 which cooperate with notches 78, 79 and 80 of aninsulating plate 81 and notches 82, 83 and 84 of an insulating plate 85 for securing the contact element 70 thereto. The insulating plates 81 and 85 are of ring formation as exhibited in Fig. 5 and are centrally apertured with deformations at the inner periph ery thereof which provide the notches ust described. The outer periphery of the insulating plate or ring 81 is notched at 86, 87 and 88 while the plate 85 is similarly notched at 89, 90 and 91. It will be noted from the illustration that the plates 81 and 85 are substantially alike in formation except that the notches 86, 87 and 88 of the plate 81 project further into the body of the plate than do the similar notches 89, 90 and 91 of the plate 85, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

In assembling the structure the contact plate 70 and the insulation plates 81 and 85 are secured together, being superimposed upon one another in'the order of their mention, and so that the tangs 74, 75 and 76 of the contact plate 70 are received within the notches 7 8,79 and 80 of the plate 81 and the notches 82, 83 and 84 of the plate 85, and the said tongues are then bent over I gainst the body of the ring 85 as shown in *ig. 1. A contact urging spring 95 is then inserted within the cup 61 and the contact plate and insulating support sub-assembly are then placed upon the spring 95 which is then compressed so that the plates 81 and 85 with their notches 86, 87 and 88, and 89, 90 and 91.respectively will be disposed opposite of the tangs 65, 66 and 67 of the cup 61.

While the elements arefheldin this position the ends of the tangs 65, 66 and 67 are bent inwardly substantially at right angles so as to lie 'wholl within the notches 86, 87 and 88 respective y of theplate 81, as shown in Fi 1. By this construction, the contact plate- 0 is resiliently mounted upon the cup 61 andprovides a maximum amount'of movement to and from the cup member 61in the minimum amount of space, since no space for clearance need be made between the contact member 70 and the bent over tangs of the cup 61. The cup 53 is then passed bottom end first through the aperture 62 of the cup member 61 with the slots 54 and 55 passing over the tangs 63 and 64, and after the tangs '59 and 60 of the cup 53 have been inserted in the apertures 50 and 52, the retaining screw 58 is passed through the aperture 57 and driven into the threaded recess 51 of the lock barrel 40. The contact device and the actuator assembly is now in assembled form and when fixed within frame 23 is placed-within the housing 22 so that the cup member 53 is aligned with the annular recess 36 of the coil base 34, a compression spring 96 being placed within the cup 53 disposed against the bottom thereof and seated within the annular recess 36 for urging the lock barrel 40 to the projected or circuit closed relation.

In the completed assembly the frame 23 telescopically engages the sleeve 21 and is retained in engagement therewith by the bent over tangs 97 seated within the peripheral notches 98, 99, 100 and 101 of the frame member 23, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The contact ring 70 and its insulating sup port will then be maintained in floating engagement with the switch contacts 31,32 and 33, the resilient connection between the cup 61 and the plates 81 and 85 providing for a firm, yet yielding, engagement therebetween,

due to the contact urging spring 95, yet re straining separation of the switch assembly by reason of the tangs 65, 66 and 67 seating within recesses of the plates 81 and 85.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that the key 42'when inserted within the key cylinder 41' permits withdrawal of the bolt 43 from the recess 44 which allows the spring 96 to project the lock cylinder 40 to the extended or circuit closed position, and with it the driving cup 53. Due to the guiding function of the pin 46 and slot 47 the lock barrel 40 is restrained fromturning within the tubular extension 45, and due tothe nonrotatable engagement between the driving cup 53 and the lock barrel 40 through the tangs 59 and 60 seated within the apertures Y 50 and 52 of the lock barrel 40, the driving cup 53 is capable only of a longitudinal or reciprocablemovement within the key frame 23. However, the interfitting driving engagement between the driving cup 53 and the contact supporting cup 61, that is, the spiral slots of the 'cup'53 within which are positioned theradial tangs of. the cup 61, will translate the reciprocable-movement of the cup 53 to rotary movement of the cup 61, which, due to the driving engagement with the movable contact plate 70, will rotate that plate into and out of engagement with the switch contacts 30, 31 and 32 supported by the coil base 34. Therefore, reciprocable movement of the cup 53 will produce relativerotary movement of the cup 61.

The cup 53 in addition to supplying part of the inter-engaging driving connection between the key cylinder 40 and the movable contact plateprovides a housing for they plunger return spring 96, and. also provides a ournal like bearing for the contact supporting cup 61. It will .be noted that another bearing surface for the cup 61 is provided by the rear end of the tubular extension 45 supporting the lock barrel 40, and this 5 bearing also provides in a way an abutment against which the contacturging spring 95 may seat itself in order to resiliently support the contact plate 70 against'the c011 base 34 and the contact elements 30, 31 and 32.

Thus I have provided a novel switch actuating mechanism, which efliciently translates the longitudinal movement of the lock barrel actuator to rotary movement of the contact plate whereby the contact points arealways e t clean of oxidized material through the ru bing action that takes place between the contacts as they are moved into and out of circuit closin relation.

While the orm of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might beadopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A standardized ignition coil and lock switch unit comprising a rotatable switch contact, means resiliently supporting said contact, a reciprocable lock plunger and cooperating cup means connecting said lock plunger or movement of said contact memher.

2. A standardized ignition coil and lock switch unit comprising a rotatable switch contact, means resiliently supporting said contact, a reciprocablelock plunger and motion translating means connecting said lock plunger with said contact member, said connecting means comprising, a pair of interfitting cups, one of said cups resiliently supporting said contact.

3. A standardized ignition coil and lock switch unit comprising a rotatable switch contact, means resiliently supporting said contact, a reciprocable lock plunger and motion translating means connecting said lock plunger with said contact member,-said connecting means comprising, a driving cup secured to said lock plunger, a contact actuating cup drivingly connected to said driving cup and means providing longitudinal and rotative movement between the said cu s.

A standardized ignition coil and lock switch unit comprising a rotatable switch contact, means resiliently supporting said contact, a reciprocable lock plunger and motion translating means connecting said lock plunger with said contact member, said connecting means comprising, a driving cup secured to said lock plunger, a contact actuating cup drivingly connected to said driving cup and means providing longitudinal and rotative movement between the said cups, one of said cups supporting means for moving 65 one of the cups relative to the other.

5. A standardized lock switch coil unit comprising a member providing switch terminals, a case forming a housing. about said terminals, a lock barrel assembly closing said housing and drivingly supporting a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising a contact member engageable with said terminal members, a pair of inter-engaging cup members resiliently su porting said con-. tact member and driving y connecting the same with said lock barrel assembly.

6. A standardized lock switch unit comprising a member supporting switch terminals, a case enclosing said terminals, a lock barrel assembly drivingly supporting a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising, a pair of interengaging cup members, one of said cup members resiliently supporting a contact member for engagement with each terminal member and capable of rotary movement therewith, and means common to said cup members for producing relative rotary movement therebetween upon longitudinal movement of one of said cup members, said lock barrel assembly connected to and adapted for longitudinal movement of one of said cup members.

Y 7. A standardized lock switch comprising a member supporting switch terminals, a case forming a housing about said terminals, a lock barrel assembly closing said housing and drivingly supporting a switch mechanism, said mechanism comprising, a driving cup fixed to said lock assembly for reciprocation therewith, a second cu'p'having inter-fitting provisions with said first cup and resiliently supporting a contact member, said inter-fitting provisions producing relative rotary movement of the second cup member upon reciprocable movement of said first cup member.

8. A standardized lock switch comprising a member supporting switch terminals, a case enclosing said terminals, a lock barrel drivingly supporting a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising, a contact minal members, a supporting cup insulatingly and resiliently supporting said contact member, a driving cup secured to said lock barrel assembly, inter-fittin provisions betweensaid cup members so t at reciprocable movement of one of said cup members will be translated to rotary movement of the other of said cup members.

9. A standardized lock switch coil unit comprising, switch terminals, a case enclosing said terminals, a lock barrel assembly driving a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising, adriving cup capable of longitudinal movement with said lock barrel, a contact supporting cup disposed about the first cup, andresiliently supporting a contact member for engagement with said terminal members, driving provision member in floating engagement with said terconnecting said cups so as to translate reciprocable movement of the first cup to rotary movement of the second cup.

10. A standardized lock switch coil unit' a member supporting said'coil comprisin g switch terminals, a case formand provi ing a housing about said terminals, a lock barrel assembly closing said housing and drivingly supporting a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising, a pair of inter-fitting cups, one of said cup members resiliently supporting a contact member for coincidental engagementwith each of said switch terminals, the other of said cup members having provisions for driving said first cup member. I

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 in which the inter-fitting relation between the cups includes one or more spiral slots in the driving cup which receive radial tangs of the second cup whereby one of said cup members .will be rotated upon reciprocation of the other cup member. v

12. In a lock switch coil unit the combination comprising, a-coil base providing switch terminals and forming the back wall of the switch housing, a movable contact device for cooperation with the switch terminals comprisinga contact plate secured to a pair of nonconducting' rings, a supporting cup secured to the rings and thereby insulatingly I supporting the contact plate, said cup member being centrally apertured and provided with radial tangs, a second cup providing spiral grooves for inter-fitting relation with said tan s, said second cup supported'by the lock arrel assembly providing a closure for said switch housing, the inter fitting relation between said cup members providing rotary movement of the first cup upon reciprocation of the second cup member.

13. In a lock switch coil unit the combination comprising, a coil base providing switch terminals and forming the back wall of the switch housing, a movable contact-device for cooperation with the switch terminals comprising a contact plate secured to a pair of nonconducting rings, a supporting cup secured to the rings and thereby im sulatingly supporting the contact plate, said cup member being centrally apertured and provided with radlal tangs, a second cup disposed within the aperture of the first cup and drivingly engaging vthe tangs thereof, means supporting the second cup and adapted for reciprocation thereof, said driving engagement between the cups translating re ciprocable movement of. the driving cup to rotary movement of the first cup.

14. In a lock switch coil unit the combination comprising, a coil base roviding switch terminals and forming the ack wall of the switch housing, a movable contact device for cooperation with the switch terminals comprising a contact plate secured to a pair of nonconducting rings, a sup orting cup secured to the rings and there y insulatingly supporting the contact plate, means within.

the cup resiliently supporting the rings, said cup member being centrally apertured and 1provided with'radial tangs, a second cu aving spiral grooves in the wall thereo said cup members providing an inter-engag- .ing relation therebetween whereby the tangs mechanism, said switch mechanism 00111-7 prising, a pair of inter-engaging cup members, one of said cup members resiliently supporting a contact member for engagement with each terminal member and capable of rotary movement therewith, said lnter-engaging cup members translating reciprocable movement of one to relative rotary movement of the other.

16. A standardized lock switch coil unit comprising a member providing switch 1 terminals, a case forming a housing about said terminals, a lock barrel assembly closing said housing and driving a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising, a pair of inter-engaging cup members, one of said cup membersresiliently supporting a contact memberfor engagement with each terminal member and capable of rotary movement therewith, said inter-engaging on members translating movement of the loc barrel to said switch mechanism, said lock barrel adapted for reciprocably moving one of said cup members.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix' my signature.

HARRY E. NORVIEL. 

